I need major help with Bridesmaid gifts!

[*Stacie*]

This is the one thing I am stressing about and do not want to do. I have zero clue on what to buy my bridesmaids for their gifts. All 5 of them are not "girly" at all, so make-up and spa bags are not the best idea. I don't want to do the traditional engraved picture frame or jewelery box, but if I have to I will. Can any of you ladies suggest something for me? Also I would like to keep the cost at about $45 per person. :happysigh: Thanks!

[Mandy]

Hey there! I totally understand where you're coming from! I have a vast array of personalities in my BMs, so I decided on a "BM Survival bag".

Basically, I am buying canvas tote bags and having their names engraved on it. I am sticking things inside I think they might like for the big day and beyond. I'm buying some nice slippers they can wear at the reception, some bottled water, and some other little things I'll pick especially for each one. It's some personal, helpful, and they may use it afterward as well!

[*Stacie*]

Mandy!! I love that idea! That is so helpful.. I may have to consider that :) Thank you!

[Mandy]

Your welcome Stacie! Glad I could help :) If you need any ideas for anything else to go inside, I can share some more of what I've bought if it helps, just lemme know! :)

[Tara]

I got my girls purses to match their dresses, their jewelry to wear on the wedding day, pashmina shawls (dirt cheap on Amazon) and fuzzy slipper-socks to wera during the reception.

They loved everything, but were particularly pleased with the slipper-socks and shawls, because the reception hall was on the chilly side. I got everything on sale from amazon, and spent a total of about $50 each.

[*Stacie*]

Thats a great gift Tara!! Ok ok, these are some great suggestions!! Thank you!

[*meghan*]

I got my girls small tote bags from LL Bean and I am going to put some stationary, a bottle of wine, flip-flop wine glass coasters, and a book in the tote. All the items are specific to each girl's tastes. Nothing big or fancy, but useful IMO :) I also paid for 1/2 of their dresses.

[kate]

So far I have got a bath robe from Victorias Secret for each of them. I thought we could wear them while we got ready and it would make for cute pics.

[KathyandJer]

I have small wire baskets to give to each girl as a survival kit - plan to put tylenol, lip stuff, water, disposable camera (if we have extras!) and basically just a miniature bathroom basket for each that they can keep.

And we're doing personalized CD's as well - with songs about friends and friendship. Expanded this now to include all people at the rehearsal dinner - music is a big part of our lives!

Otherwise, I'm not sure either - I would like to get some similar items and then something individual for them.

[carolinalady67]

These might fall under the category of to girly. But everyone has to shower right? I'm getting these for my girls. They are shower gels http://www.philosophy.com/web/store/product_10001_10001_-1_43533

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d935b3127cce8b1fc5d9666600000016100EYs3DVs4YsU

[Angela]

I collect Willow Tree figurines, so each girl is getting one...I got them each something different that should mean something special to them. I also got some little things for the day of--tissues, mints, etc. I also bought them their jewelry to give them, but didn't consider it as part of the money I was spending on their gifts, since I'm the anal-retentive one who wants them to match :)

[septbride]

I was thinking of getting my BMs gift certs at a nail salon, and buying them each a piece of jewelry, something different depending on their taste! I also liked those pink leather flasks, but I don't think mine would like them! :)

[PurpleFlower]

I got my girls angel coins, jewelry box and a black hills gold necklace to wear at the wedding! I have pics in my journal!

[*TanyaJeanne*]

Hey hun! Any update on your gift situation? Find anything?

[*Stacie*]

Well I really like the idea of doing little tote bags with their names on them and filling them with goodies for the day and also some keepsakes. I think I will do that. Everyone has given me such wonderful suggestions!

[*Ashley*]

Meghan I've seen those flip flop wine coasters and they are ADORABLE. Do you remember the person who makes them? I can't remember the website to save my life!

A girl that's in my house party had tote bags with monogrammed names on them for her bridesmaids. That was cute.

I plan on getting flip flops from old navy for each of my BM's in their size to put in their bags (in pink) and wrap the thong part of it in material (the dupioni silk I think) and also I'm going to paint either wine glasses or champagne glasses and put a small bag of pink and green M&M's in there. Other than that, I haven't figured anything else out for them. My MaOH is getting a pandora bracelet with the wedding cake charm, but I'm not sure if I want to do that for all the girls yet or not...

[*meghan*]

Meghan I've seen those flip flop wine coasters and they are ADORABLE. Do you remember the person who makes them? I can't remember the website to save my life!



I actually found them at a kitchen/cooking store here. I'll let you know what they are called when I get home :)

[*meghan*]

Sorry for the double post!


Here are the wine coasters:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g234/wahoomeg45/winecoasters.jpg

[katieandalex]

Stacie: Both of my girls are really girlie...but I'm not so I don't like to buy that kind of thing. So I bought cute little totes for them to use on the day of the wedding, I made the BM t-shirts and the "dancing shoes" for them. Then I purchased both of them aromatherapy kits (relax ones) that just had lotion, shower gel...nothing too girlie in them. And then I made them a wedding day survival kit with all of the basics in them. I don't think the gift is too girlie....but something every girl wishes they have on the wedding day is a survival kit because it never fails that you're going to forget something.

[Jill]

Sorry for the double post!


Here are the wine coasters:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g234/wahoomeg45/winecoasters.jpg
I love those! I found similar items on Amazon~

http://www.amazon.com/Marina-Flip-Flop-Coasters/dp/B00081QWVM/ref=pd_sim_k_1/102-0144466-9694539?ie=UTF8

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00082W95O/102-0144466-9694539?SubscriptionId=0E8D7792N64CPWVABG82&n=284507

[MrsRea]

I also did the little survival kit thing. I got really pretty baskets and put a bunch of little goodies in there according to each of their tastes. I also framed that BM survival poem for them and wrote a thank you message at the bottom.

I did buy their jewelry too but I didnt really count that as part of their gift even though it did get a little expensive.

[*heather*]

I once recieved a flask painted like a cow as a wedding thank you gift. It was not at all girly, and I loved it! This one (http://www.eflasks.com/v1004yla01.html) is cute. You could also do poker sets, or personalized playing cards (http://www.personalizationmall.com/product.aspx?productid=2128&storeid=20&categoryid=1264&itemid=13251&did=6422).

What about a plant set? Herbs they could grow or something like this (http://www.redenvelope.com/re/gifts/product_display/product_information.jsp?nc=1&oid=18528515&pcd=PERFORMICS&mptc=BPER&src=clickserve.cc-dt&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=Affiliate&cm_pla=FindGift.com&cm_ite=DDI%20Link&CustomerMemberID=645133). If they'd like it, you could find someone in your area that cultivates bonsai trees (http://www.bonsaiboy.com/catalog/product189.html) and attach a note saying "our friendship will be as old as the oldest tree." or something like that.

If they are outdoorsy types, what about a personalized cooler (http://www.americanbridal.com/loden-personalized-cooler-emb036.html)? It's a new take on the tote bag. You could include champagne or chocolates inside.

[Coze]

Hi hi-

Since we are doing a theme wedding and many of the girls will not be 'dressed up' when they get to the ceremony site, I will be providing a tote bag personalized for each girl so that they can put their street clothes in the bag during the ceremony. In each of the bags will be some extra little goodies. I'm also do the same for the grooms men because I don't want to spend the night of my wedding trying to sort out which clothes belong to who...

TTFN...
D.J.

[lizaanne]

I can't say, cause Beth comes here. ;) Sorry dear, you will have to wait! :)

I'll let you all know when it's over. :)

~Liza

[edibleexpressions]

Liza, I would have helped you pick out Deb's if you wanted, but you know I love surprises! Can't wait!

Beth

[lizaanne]

No way chickie! You have to wait for both! :)

~Liza